Souphanouvong

Prince Souphanouvong (July 13, 1909 - January 9, 1995) was, along with his half-brother Prince Souvanna Phouma and Prince Boun Oum of Champassack, one of the "Three Princes" who represented respectively the communist, neutralist, and royalist political factions in Laos. He was president of Laos from 1975 to 1986.

Related Topics:
July 13 - 1909 - January 9 - 1995 - Souvanna Phouma - Boun Oum - Champassack - Three Princes - Laos

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Souphanouvong was born in Luang Prabang, Laos, as the son of Tiao Maha Ouparath Boun Khong and Mom Kham Ouane.

Related Topics:
Luang Prabang - Tiao Maha Ouparath Boun Khong - Mom Kham Ouane

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He was one of the sons of Prince Bounkhong, the last vice-king of Luang Prabang. Unlike his half-brothers Souvanna Phouma and Phetsarath, whose mothers were of royal birth, he was born to a commoner. Educated in France and Vietnam, he eventually fell under the spell of Ho Chi Minh and joined the Indochinese communist movement.

Related Topics:
Bounkhong - Luang Prabang - Souvanna Phouma - Phetsarath - France - Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh

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Nicknamed "The Red Prince," he became the titular leader of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and upon its successful seizure of power, became the first president of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. After 1986, Phoumi Vongvichit was acting president,and when strongman Kaysone Phomvihane decided to establish an executive presidency in 1991, Souphanouvong was relieved of even an inactive-figurehead role.

Related Topics:
Lao People's Revolutionary Party - Lao People's Democratic Republic - Phoumi Vongvichit - Kaysone Phomvihane - 1991

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He is said to have been the most talented of Bounkhong's sons, mastering eight languages, including Greek and Latin. He worked on the ports of Le Havre before taking his engineering degree from the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

Related Topics:
Bounkhong - Le Havre - École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées

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